Prepare Your Sheep Stock Club for the Whole Farm Plan in 2026
20 October 2025The Whole Farm Plan (WFP) is mandatory for all businesses claiming Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in 2026. In 2026 all BPS claimants will need to tick two items on their IACS SAF (Single Application Form). This rule applies to Sheep Stock Clubs (SSCs). However, the way the SSC manages the land can impact which elements apply.
What is the Whole Farm Plan?
All businesses will need to have all elements which apply to them completed by 2026; the maximum number is five. Depending on activities and land, not all Sheep Stock Clubs will need to do the same elements. However, there are some common themes for Sheep Stock Clubs. The table below outlines each element, and when it might apply.
| WFP element | Are Sheep Stock Clubs eligible? | |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Health and Welfare Plan | Yes | |
| Soil Sampling | Can sample Region 1 fields if the share has Region 1 in it AND fertiliser or FYM is applied. If there are no Region 1 fields in the share then this element is not applicable. | |
| Biodiversity Audit* | This is only applicable if the SSC has 100% of the share in the Common grazing. In which case, a Biodiversity Audit is required. For many SSCs, the SSC does not have 100% of the shares, i.e., other people can use and claim the land (for example, cattle shares), therefore this element is not applicable. |
|
| IPM | Not applicable unless the SSC is using herbicides and pesticides | |
| Carbon Audit | Yes. The Carbon Audit is applicable to all businesses |
Note that these are the requirements as of 2025 and requirements for Common Grazings and Sheep Stock clubs are likely to change in the future
Your Next Steps
- Work out how many of the 5 elements apply to your SSC
- Ensure you have 2 completed before you complete your 2026 SAF
- Decide on a plan to complete the other elements that apply to your SSC.
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